The study emphasizes changing light conditions in architectural spaces as a major factor on human eye adaptation, which represents a potential case for a visual shock. This visual shock is experienced when occupants encounter a sudden field of light whose intensity is above or below the limit of human eye adaptable range. To examine this condition, a new methodology is developed and outlined. It identifies the visual shock within transitional spaces and allows architects to investigate strategies that influence visual comfort. The physiological field of vision analysis is used to first critique, then to adjust, and finally to interpret scenes within transitional spaces. The methodology begins by using a 180° angle fish-eye lens camera to capture 3-D photographs along a selected pedestrian pathway. The photographs are overlaid by a “field of view” diagram to deduct areas obstructed by human facial features (eyebrows, cheeks, and nose). Area weighted percentages of the net view profile is then calculated using an overlay hemispherical radial grid. These percentages represent the cut-off vision (0%), the one-eye vision (12.5%), the peripheral vision (25%), and the central vision (50%). Image metamorphosis is done by the aid of the Adobe Photoshop software to restrict the image to four monochromatic contrasts of shade. Parallel to photographs, actual light intensity readings are collected and calibrated to each assigned contrast on the images. To illustrate the methodology, a case of a person experiencing an extreme discomfort by walking in the direction of a blinding sunlight source has been chosen and investigated. 3-D Computer modeling is then adopted to investigate the different architectural daylight solutions as suggested by the modified design and predicts a visual comfort. This method provides a successful tool for investigating light in transitional spaces as well as contributes to enhancing pedestrian awareness of their surrounding environment and clarity of visual information.

The reduction of energy demand and increased energy efficiency is believed to play a major role in tackling the global climate change. Artificial lighting systems in commercial buildings accounts for a substantial proportion of the total energy consumption. Studies shows that significant energy savings can be achieved by improving the energy efficiency with the application of control systems and daylight sensors. However, this may not come to the expense of impaired visual comfort. This study contains a comparative analysis of methods to improve the visual comfort, optimise light sensor placement for proper performance and estimate the potential energy savings for a classroom located in Umeå, Sweden. The term visual comfort and corresponding photometric properties has been evaluated in regards to international standards and recommendations. The lumen method, a lighting design technique, showed promising accuracy in determining a more optimal lighting design, this was confirmed by using the lighting simulation software Dialux evo. The results obtained by the simulation software showed improved visual comfort in terms of illuminance-based metrics that fulfilled the international requirements EN12464-1.  A sensor positioning method denoted as "Point-by-point" has been evaluated for two different lighting designs. The current lighting design is based on the existing lighting arrangement in the classroom, denoted as "current design". The other lighting design is based on improved positioning attained by the lumen method, denoted "Test design 2". The point-by-point method showed considerate accuracy in comparison to reference values obtained by simulations, however the credibility of the method is dependent on the lighting design. The average deviation for the current design were determined to be 23.7 lx (15.16 \%), whilst the improved Test design 2 attained an lower average deviation of 8.3 lx (9.20 \%). Lighting characteristics of the luminaries also has an impact on the credibility of this method, as uniform lighting proves to be more suitable than non-uniform lighting.  The integration of daylight data in the simulations showed different optimal position for light sensors due to the natural changes in illuminance. Thus, the positions with the most established linear relationships between the light levels on the workplane and ceiling throughout the year were consider to be the most suitable. The point-by-point method for Test design 2 acquired an average deviation of 13.1 lx (16.40 \%) in comparison to the daylight simulations. The results showcased that this method may be applied in similar studies in the future. The daylight simulations indicated significant energy savings throughout the lifetime of the lamp. The most substantial savings were obtained in the month of May during the first year (63.4 \%). This study demonstrates that daylight harvesting is beneficial despite the latitude of the location with proper dimensioning of the fluorescent lighting system.

Glass facades building, especially offices, always need shading devices to guarantee occupant's well-being and comfort. However, shading devices are often composed of shutters or fabric tents which creates dark interiors and do not allow access to view out. Moreover, they ruin the aesthetical appearance of glass facades. The study aims to research and propose an alternative shading system for glass facades building which can prevent from glare in the interior spaces as well as respecting the continuity of a glass facade from an exterior point of view. Research upon materials that can be integrated into glass has been carried and Ceramic ink digital printing has been found as the right technique to ensure both a functional and aesthetical value. The material today has been used mainly for decorative functions. The patterns and the colors of the shading device proposed with ceramic and digital ink printing have been tested in Deloitte Building in Copenhagen with both 3D digital models and an online survey investigating comfort preferences.

Light and architectural design are inseparable. Light plays a significant role in the perception of the place. One of the main reasons a good number of today's buildings are unsuccessful regarding visual conditions and comfort is because they are only focused on function and structure without considering the quality of the place. Design for spaces often does not fully consider the setting where the building is placed. This connection with the surrounding environment can turn the space into a place where an occupant feels his existence and sense of dwelling while being at peace. Daylight is one aspect that can enhance the sense of place and influence the personal interpretations and impressions that last long after leaving the place. Today, architects are being asked to consider low-energy design with daylighting in their designs. In response to this, there is growing interest in the study of visually disturbing effects such as glare and poor visual comfort that can adversely impact the sense of dwelling. While several studies on visual comfort have been conducted, very little research addressed movement through space and the time-dependency of daylighting. Concern for daylight control is needed in buildings especially museums and art galleries because of their exhibits' sensitivity to light. To address the dynamic daylight conditions, this research proposes a framework for an innovative approach to improving design decision-making by evaluating visual comfort during the early stages of design, which can alter the design process. A framework-based prototype has been designed for this research that uses Grasshopper and its sub-components to interface with Radiance and Daysim. In addition to quantitative outputs, special re-representation is used for qualitative analysis to support design decision-making. Through logical argumentation, prototyping, immersive case study, and member impressions via a Delphi panel, an interpretive approach is used to demonstrate the enhancement in design decision-making that occurs when one considers dynamic daylighting. The research outcomes are expected to provide researchers, designers, and decision makers with a new approach to designing and re-imagining spaces to improve visual comfort and the quality of the place. / Ph. D.

Sunlight is a multidimensional phenomenon that influences occupant’s comfort and well-being through its dynamic visual and thermal attributes. Previous studies suggested that the presence of sunlight patterns in space was cheering and visually interesting, which could improve visual comfort and space quality. However, it remains unclear what the attributes of visually interesting sunlight patterns are, and whether their visual interest influences visual comfort. This dissertation aims to answer three main questions: (1) is there a difference in visual interest and mood response among different projected light patterns? (2) How do sunlight patterns of different geometries influence visual interest and visual comfort in offices? And (3) what are the geometrical attributes of sunlight patterns that should be implemented in office spaces? To address these questions, a series of four studies were conducted. The first two studies extended empirical findings on visual interest and mood responses elicited by varying complexities of fractal and non-fractal light patterns projected on walls and floors of an interior space. These two studies determined which patterns to be further examined in Studies 3 and 4, which investigated the visual comfort, visual interest of sunlight patterns, and view quality under three different window conditions in office spaces. The results of studies 1 and 2 suggested that fractal light patterns of medium to medium-high complexity, quantified by the fractal dimension in the range (D=1.5-1.7), were significantly more visually interesting than other patterns. Both studies found that fractal compared to non-fractal light patterns provided a better balance between relaxation and excitement. Study 3 found that the fractal pattern was associated with a significant increase in visual comfort, compared to the striped pattern, though the difference in visual interest between the two patterns was not statistically significant. Study 4 found that the effect of the fractal pattern on visual comfort, visual interest of sunlight patterns, and view quality was dependent on occupant’s view direction and façade orientation. These findings can have implications for the design and control of facade systems to improve occupant’s visual comfort, interest, and view quality in work environments. This dissertation includes both previously published/unpublished and co-authored material. / 2019-01-27

A especificação das vedações transparentes é uma das decisões mais complexas no âmbito do projeto arquitetônico. Envolve diversos fatores construtivos e de necessidades humanas relacionadas ao conforto ambiental, associadas a uma grande variedade de produtos disponíveis no mercado. Este trabalho busca facilitar aos projetistas esse processo de especificação, fornecendo valores dos parâmetros de desempenho dos elementos transparentes em relação à análise do conforto térmico e visual, coerentes com a realidade climática brasileira e com a real incidência da radiação solar ao longo do dia. Foram estudados os vidros comuns, laminados e refletivos, e as películas de controle solar, policarbonatos e acrílicos usados em edificações no Brasil. Foi utilizada a análise por espectrofotometria para a obtenção dos valores de refletância, transmitância a absortância para as diferentes regiões do espectro solar, com ângulos de incidência variados. A partir do relacionamento desses resultados, considerando o comportamento similar de variação do Fator do Calor Solar (FCS) e da Transmitância da Luz Visível (Tv) com o ângulo de incidência, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia que possibilita o cálculo simplificado de ganhos de calor e luz natural. / The specification of the transparent elements is one of the most complex decisions in the ambit of the architectural project. It involves several constructive factors and human necessities related to the environmental comfort, associated to a great variety of available products in the market. The aim of this work is to facilitate the specification process to the planners, supplying values of the performance parameters of the transparent elements in relation to the analysis of thermal and visual comfort, coherent with the Brazilian climatic reality and with real incidence of the solar radiation along of the day. It were studied the ordinary, laminate and reflective glasses, the solar control films, policarbonates and acrylic used in Brazilian constructions. The spectrophotometry analysis was used to obtain the reflectance, the transmittance and the absortance values for the different regions of the solar spectrum, with varied incidence angles. Starting from the relationship of those results, considering the similar behavior of variation of the Solar Heat Factor (FCS) and of Transmittance of the Visible Light (Tv) with the incidence angle, it was developed a methodology that facilitates the simplified calculation of heat and natural light gains.

O Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (HC UFTM) foi inaugurado em 1982 na cidade de Uberaba - MG e é, atualmente, o único hospital público do Triângulo Mineiro que oferece atendimento terceirizado de alta complexidade. Os critérios técnicos exigidos em normas rígidas para esses ambientes hospitalares dificultam o processo de humanização hospitalar como forma de atender os usuários satisfatoriamente e proporcionar espaços apropriados para o exercício dos profissionais da saúde e para auxiliar na cura dos pacientes. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é propor diretrizes projetuais com a finalidade de melhorar o desempenho térmico e lumínico das alas de clínicas médica (CM) e cirúrgica (CC) do HC da UFTM. Para isso, a metodologia proposta consiste, inicialmente, num levantamento de dados dos aspectos projetuais e construtivos das alas estudadas. Posteriormente, foi feito um levantamento bioclimático de Uberaba dos últimos 10 anos junto a uma caracterização do edifício através dos cálculos das propriedades térmicas dos materiais e do uso das estratégias passivas no projeto. Para verificar a eficiência destas estratégias realizaram-se as análises dos métodos de Mahoney e Givoni. Além disso, o desempenho térmico e lumínico das alas de CM e CC foi analisado através das medições das temperaturas internas e externas, da umidade relativa do ar e dos níveis de iluminância. Depois, foram comparados com as recomendações de Mahoney e Givoni e à norma de iluminação NBR 8995-1. Os resultados encontrados indicaram que das estratégias passivas, a ventilação é a mais favorecida pela implantação do edifício, mas o resfriamento evaporativo e a alta inércia térmica não estão presentes. Além disso, os cálculos das 2 propriedades térmicas dos fechamentos verticais e horizontais e as medições das variáveis ambientais não apresentaram índices ideais de conforto e sim, altas transmitâncias, baixas inércias térmicas e, consequentemente, altas temperaturas no interior das alas, gerando um grande desconforto térmico praticamente o tempo todo. Além disso, os níveis de iluminância encontrados não estão adequados às normativas e, aliados a ambientes sem identidade visual desfavorecem ainda mais a percepção que os usuários/pacientes têm dos mesmos. Promover espaços ajardinados, melhorar o desempenho dos fechamentos através da utilização de isolantes térmicos e rever a concepção visual e os níveis mínimos de iluminação do HC são possibilidades eficientes e utilizadas em diversos hospitais para melhorar o conforto térmico e visual dos pacientes durante suas internações e assegurar qualidade no desempenho das tarefas dos funcionários. / In 1982, the teaching hospital (Hospital de Clínicas - HC) of the Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM) was opened in Uberaba, in Minas Gerais state in Brazil. Currently, it is the only public hospital in the Triângulo Mineiro area to offer third party high complexity services. Technical requirements in strict regulations for hospital environments make it harder to humanize them and satisfactorily assist users, provide health professionals with adequate working spaces and help the healing process. Therefore, this document aims to propose design guidelines to improve thermal and lighting performance in the medical clinic (clínica médica CM) and surgery clinic (clínica cirúrgica - CC) wings of the HC of UFTM. In order to achieve this, there was initially some data collection regarding design and building aspects related to the aforementioned hospital wings. Afterwards, it was necessary to gather data on the bioclimatic profile of Uberaba for the last ten years and relate it to the building using an estimate of the thermal properties of its materials and of the use of passive strategies in its design. To verify how effective the plans were, analyses based on Mahoney and Givonis methods were carried out. Furthermore, measurement of internal and external temperatures, of relative humidity and of illuminance levels were used to analyze thermal and visual performance of CM and CC wings. Then, the results were compared to Mahoney and Givonis recommendations and to lighting regulation NBR 8995-1. These results showed that regarding passive strategies, ventilation benefits the most from the building orientation, while evaporative cooling and high thermal inertia are absent. Moreover, thermal property figures of the vertical and the horizontal openings and measurements of environmental variables did 4 not present ideal comfort ratings, but high transmittance, low thermal inertia and, consequently, high temperatures inside the wings creating great thermal discomfort almost all the time. In addition, illuminance levels registered did not comply with regulations and, while associated with a lack of visual identity in rooms, caused users/patients to negatively perceive those rooms. Fostering green areas, improving insulation by using thermal insulation materials and revising the visual concept and the minimum illuminance levels in the HC are effective possibilities used in several hospitals to improve patients thermal and visual comfort while under treatment and to ensure quality to staff performance.

Jali screens are traditional window treatments in vernacular buildings throughout South Asia and the Middle East. Contemporary builders are starting to incorporate Jali screens as decorative façade elements; however, architects and scholars have largely ignored the impact of Jali screens on overall building energy and day-lighting performance. This research evaluates the effect of Jali screens, across a range of perforation ratios, on energy utilization and day-lighting quality in contemporary office buildings. The data collection and analysis is through fieldwork in Lahore, Pakistan, as well as through computational energy modeling. Results demonstrate that Jali screens have a promising positive impact on cooling loads and may improve visual comfort. The findings suggest a holistic perspective combining traditional architecture and performance enhancement by architects and designers.

This paper discusses the importance and quality of lighting, whether artificial or natural, visual comfort of commercial spaces. The growing importance of shopping centers has made one of its internal areas also stand out: the area intended for hall and circulation, which now is moving beyond the role of rest area. It comes, therefore, a diagnosis of performance in the areas of light and movement hall of a shopping center, located in the city of Maceió / AL, with regard to human needs (visibility and task performance) and architecture. To this end, two major methodological steps have been demarcated. The first step referring to the qualitative assessment by physical survey of the halls and circulation to characterize the system of lighting. The second step is the quantitative evaluation in a sample space and measurement of illuminance second NBR 5382 - Verificação de Iluminâncias de Interiores for artificial lighting systems with posterior simulation for daylighting system and compare the levels found and claimed by the NBR 5413 Iluminância de Interiores and the Building Code and the City of Maceió, municipal law No 5593/2007. These data were crossed resulting in a treatment situation of the lighting at the mall chosen in order: (i) general, where failures were observed in the distribution and height of elements that contribute to the process of reflection of light (natural and artificial) in internal space, and (ii) specific, and there are insufficient Illuminances to the implementation of the planned activities, movement and rest by the mapping curve isolux being situated in two selected sites. There have been made some conclusions in how the daylighting is obtained by first and second floors: the first has Illuminances below the standard in the three simulated points, even at the point below the opening zenith, their highest values ranging from 50lx and 300lx, the second Illuminances has at least four times higher than the values required in the three simulated points, yielding values ranging from 500lx and 7000lx. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Este trabalho aborda a importância e a qualidade da iluminação, seja ela artificial ou natural, no conforto visual de espaços comerciais. A crescente importância dos shopping centers fez com que uma de suas áreas internas também se destacasse: a área destinada ao hall e circulação, pois agora além do circular há a função de área de descanso. É fornecido, desta forma, um diagnóstico do desempenho luminoso das áreas de hall e circulação de um shopping center, localizado na cidade de Maceió/AL, no tocante às necessidades humanas (visibilidade e desempenho de tarefas) e à arquitetura. Para tal, duas principais etapas metodológicas foram demarcadas. A primeira etapa referindo-se à avaliação qualitativa, mediante levantamento físico dos halls e circulação para caracterizar o sistema da iluminação. A segunda etapa é a avaliação quantitativa em um espaço amostral e aferição da iluminância segundo NBR 5.382 Verificação de Iluminâncias de Interiores para sistemas de iluminação artificial com posterior simulação para o sistema de iluminação natural e comparação entre os níveis encontrados e os solicitados pela NBR 5.413 Iluminância de Interiores e pelo Código de Edificações e Urbanismo da Cidade de Maceió, lei municipal nº 5.593/2007. Estes dados foram cruzados obtendo-se um panorama do tratamento da iluminação no shopping center escolhido de forma: (i) geral, onde foram verificadas falhas na distribuição e altura de elementos que contribuem para o processo de reflexão da luz (natural e artificial) no espaço interno; e (ii) específica, verificando-se iluminâncias insuficientes à realização das atividades previstas, circular e descansar mediante o mapeamento de curvas isolux de duas áreas amostrais. Foram concluídas ainda diferenciações na forma como a iluminação é obtida pelo primeiro e segundo pavimentos: o primeiro possui iluminâncias inferiores à norma nos três pontos simulados, mesmo no ponto abaixo à abertura zenital, seus valores mais altos variando entre 50lx e 300lx; o segundo possui iluminâncias no mínimo quatro vezes acima dos valores solicitados nos três pontos simulados, obtendo-se valores que variaram entre 500lx e 7000lx.

Visual comfort conditions in school buildings are important to provide well-being, health and improving educational productivity. Considering benefits that visual comfort promotes, this research aimed to evaluate the daylight availability for two classrooms in a high school located in interior of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The analysis was based on two methods. One of them considered in situ measurements of illuminance levels with datalogger during five days on April, June, August and December (twenty days of measurements), according to NBR 8995 Brazilian standard; the other considered the students momentary satisfaction with natural light quality through the application of questionnaires with face-to-face direct questions in one day for mentioned months. Further the artificial and natural lighting requirements according to RTQ-C Brazilian standard were verified. The natural light factor (CIN) was calculated based on internal and simultaneous external illuminances obtained through measurement with a manual luximeter. The method used to find CIN was based on NBR 15215-3 Brazilian standard. Taking into account measurement period the illuminance levels were higher than standard values stablished on NBR 8995 for the majority of measured points. The study also showed that the majority of students were satisfied with momentary light conditions available in classrooms. They reported problems with direct solar radiation on desks. The light system of analyzed classrooms did not satisfy the requirements of RTQ-C referring to automatic artificial light controls. The CIN coefficients presented high variability that demonstrates the regional daylight also presents heterogeneous conditions throughout the year. The main findings are the difficulty of defining a suitable method to measure external illuminances in situ, CIN references for specific Brazilians sky conditions and difficulty of measuring internal illuminances during long-range time due to high variability of regional cloudy and clear-sky conditions. / A condição de conforto visual, nas edificações, é importante para promover o bemestar, saúde e aumentar a produtividade. Levando em conta os benefícios que o conforto visual promove, esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a disponibilidade de iluminação natural em duas salas de aula de uma instituição de ensino superior localizada no interior do RS. A avaliação foi feita usando dois métodos: medições in loco dos níveis de iluminância mantida, para cinco dias durante os meses de abril, junho, agosto e dezembro, totalizando vinte dias de medições, e tomando como referência para o nível de iluminância mantida o valor estabelecido na NBR 8995 e pela opinião dos usuários através de aplicação de questionário sobre sua percepção momentânea sobre as condições da iluminação natural, para quatro dias em cada um dos meses já citados. Além disso, foi verificada a satisfação dos requisitos específicos do RTQ-C aplicáveis à iluminação natural, e calculados os coeficientes de contribuição de iluminação natural, CIN, de acordo com a NBR 15.215-3, com medições externas de níveis de iluminância paralelas às medições internas. Os resultados demonstram, para as condições de céu e dias avaliados, que os níveis de iluminância mantida são bem superiores ao nível de iluminância mantida recomendada pela NBR 8995 na maioria dos pontos e dias de medições. Os usuários demonstraram, em sua maioria, satisfação momentânea com as condições de iluminação natural das salas, relatando problemas com o controle da incidência direta de radiação solar sobre mesas. As salas, para o sistema de iluminação, apenas não satisfazem ao requisito relativo ao desligamento automático de iluminação artificial, do RTQ-C. Considerando os valores de CIN obtidos, percebeuse sua variabilidade em relação às condições externas de céu. Com a realização dessa pesquisa foi possível perceber a dificuldade em encontrar procedimentos para medição de iluminâncias externas como apontado pela NBR 15.575, dificuldade em encontrar valores de CIN compatíveis com as condições de céu presentes no Brasil e dificuldade em medir as iluminâncias internas em períodos prolongados devido a grande variabilidade de céu presente na região da pesquisa.